15 Shows on Netflix You Need to Binge Watch

Basically everyone who has access to the internet watches Netflix now, right?

Before I moved to the UK, I cancelled my cable subscription and only had Netflix and Hulu accounts. I could stream anything else I wanted on my laptop and connect it to my TV through Apple TV.

D and I spend a lot of our spare time on Netflix. And since we’ve lived together, we’ve been able to watch quite a few different series. As Netflix has been producing more and more originals than ever before, we very rarely run out of something to watch.

So I’ve decided to tell you some of my favourites that I genuinely think you should try and watch yourself, if you haven’t done so already.

Suits

I had heard about Suits a lot when it first aired but never tried it – probably because I figured it would be dull. However, when I found out that all my friends here in the UK loved it, I figured I’d give it a try. And I was definitely wrong about the dull thing. It’s a lot less centered on actual law than it is about the drama surrounding it and the people who practice it. And, of course, almost everyone is very attractive and aggressive. It’s a good drama, and actually has a few comedic lines throughout that make it even better.

Riverdale

I just started Riverdale over the weekend and I’m already obsessed and basically almost caught up. It’s a teenage drama thriller, but it’s very addictive. My boyfriend and I started watching Westworld together and I keep trying to sneak off and go watch Riverdale instead because I’m so much more interested in it. And Cole Sprouse is in it and he’s all grown up, and it’s just so cute so that’s just an added bonus.

Bates Motel

The first show D and I binge watched together and we became obsessed very quickly. The show was creepy, intriguing, funny, and we didn’t want it to end. I believe all the seasons are on Netflix now so you can watch from start to finish. It’s basically an extended modern day series of the Psycho movie. It shows how Norman Bates came to be the creepy man he is in the movie. You definitely have to watch it, you won’t want to stop.

Mindhunter

The first Netflix original on the list! The first season was just released this year and I know they’re working on another. It’s based in the 70’s when profiling first became a thing in the police force. These two men go around to interview serial killers, which are based on actual real serial killers in the U.S. And the acting is astonishing. I did some research on this and watched an interview with the actual serial killers and it’s insanely creepy how spot on it is. This show has a lot of potential to be really good. I can’t wait for the next season to come out.

Stranger Things

Another Netflix original and I don’t really think I need to describe this one to you. If you are in the tiny little percentage of people who haven’t watched this, you need to sort yourself out. Cancel all your plans and plant yourself in front of your TV this weekend, you are watching Stranger Things. It’s a coming-of-age sci-fi thriller with an extremely talented cast, some humour, and an imaginative story-line that will make you crave more. Even if you’re not into sci-fi, try it out. You will be pleasantly surprised. However, I should mention there are some scary parts in it. I managed to watch the entire first series alone in my apartment and I was fine, so I imagine you will be too.

13 Reasons Why

Another Netflix original. And yes, cue the waterworks. This is an emotional teenage drama that everyone – and yes, I mean everyone – should watch. A girl who is bullied in high school commits suicide. And then it shows how it affects the rest of the students she goes to school with. 13 Reasons Why = 13 Reasons why she committed suicide. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s important. It’ll make you sad and it’ll make you angry because you know this kind of thing is happening all the time. It’ll make you want to join the anti-bullying campaign, as it should. Watch it.

The IT Crowd

A UK classic. I think it is also on the US Netflix. And, apparently there will be an American remake, that quite possibly could be airing in September. This show is freaking hilarious and it’s a shame there were so few seasons to watch. I couldn’t stop laughing at the stupidness of it, and I couldn’t stop watching. It’s quotable, relatable, and just downright happy. If you like British comedy, you’re in for a real treat.

Girlboss

A Netflix original where a young girl in California tries to make it on her own after getting fed an eviction notice and starts her own company. This was based on a true story and a book written by Sophia Amoruso, which coincidentally is the name of the main character. The show is witty and inspirational, and quite funny. For any of my girls out there trying to make it on their own, running their own businesses, or have the dream to do any of that, you should definitely watch this.

The Great British Bake Off

The epitome of sweet baking with a bit of a competitive side. I’m not all that interested in cooking or baking shows but since everyone was talking about it, and it appeared on Netflix only a few months ago, D and I started binge watching it. And oh my god, I love it. I LOVE bread week. And I’ve learned more about British desserts than I ever thought I would. It’s a lovely show to binge watch when you just want to chill out and relax. I have gotten so into it that I cried for the woman who won in Season 6. I had tears streaming down my face as if I won it myself. And you can get some great ideas for cakes and pies as well!

Jessica Jones

Another Netflix original, and probably the best Marvel series they’ve made. I love Krysten Ritter – I just think she’s a great actress so I was really excited to watch it. I personally didn’t find the second season to be as good as the first, but D thought it was better than the first so I guess it’s up to you to see what you think. Again, I think most people have seen this one, but if you haven’t, you definitely need to get going.

The Sinner

A Netflix original with Jessica Biel as the main character. You really shouldn’t need much more information than that. However, I’ll give you a bit more. Her character murders someone for supposedly no reason at all. It takes the entire season to unravel why the murder happened as she struggles to remember her past. It’s a psychological thriller and it’s eerily interesting. The first season is on Netflix now, with the second season currently being filmed now.

That 70’s Show

An American oldie. I never watched this as a kid even though a lot of my friends did. I saw it was on Netflix a couple of months ago so tried out a few episodes to see how hilarious it actually is. Not to mention, it’s where Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher first met, which is supes adorbs. Even though Ashton Kutcher’s character is unbelievably annoying, this show is still very entertaining to watch. I guarantee you’ll be hooked.

Gossip Girl

This is a guilty pleasure of mine, if there ever was one. It’s about a group of incredibly privelaged high school students living on the Upper East Side in NYC. There’s loads of ridiculous drama in every episode. It was based on a book series which I read in middle school so when the show came out, I was first in line to start watching it. Even now that I am 26 years old, I still love to go back and watch it every once in a while. Also, do I need to tell you Blake Lively and Leighton Meester star in this?

Gilmore Girls

Back to the good times. Lorelei and Rory, a mother-daughter duo who steals everyone’s hearts. I didn’t religiously watch this show when it first aired but when it showed up on Netflix a few years ago, I binge watched it and questioned my sanity when I was a teenager. It’s an adorably cute and innocent series and makes you desperately crave junk food at all hours of the day. When Netflix released the revival, I watched it in a day. And it did not disappoint at all. All the lovely characters were back and it foreshadowed some seriously interesting things. Apparently Amy Sherman-Palladino has made an agreement with Amazon to do a second season of “A Day in the Life” when the “timing is right.” In my personal opinion, that means when everyone is free to film it, it will probably be done. Although, it’ll be on Amazon. But, all the rest of them are on Netflix now, so get your mom or daughter and go watch a few episodes.

Sherlock

And last, and most certainly not least is Sherlock. I had been hearing about Sherlock for ages, especially when I was active on Tumblr years ago. When I first got with my boyfriend, we had talked about it and I thought it was time to try it out. Guys, this was brilliant. Bendybuns Cucumberpatch is fantastic. It’s like he was made for Sherlock Holmes. And Martin Freeman? Well, I love him. It’s a perfect duo. And shows all these gorgeous places in London. It’s really easy to get through all of them and once you start, you will not want to stop, I promise you. Go watch it.

As I know, I just gave you so many different shows to watch and you’re probably like, “Sam, I’ve got a life ya know?,” so I’ll give you a few that I think you should start with first.

For a comedy, I would choose the IT Crowd. It’s funny, low key, and super easy to watch. The episodes are really short so if you don’t have a lot of time, this is a good one to put on.

For a thriller, I would choose The Sinner. It’s a creepy vibe but interesting and intriguing in the same way. And since there’s only one season, you’re not committing a large amount of time to it.

For a lot of episodes and a binge watch-a-thon, I’d suggest Gilmore Girls. You can get your girlfriends, sisters, moms, and daughters over, and put it on. It’s heartwarming and so real to true life. It’s a beautiful show and you will be glad you started it.

For something extremely touching that will tug at your heartstrings, obviously I’d choose 13 Reasons Why. The second season actually comes out today so you can watch the first and then go right into the second. However, you may want to be a tad bit careful. It made me really sad and depressed when I watched it so you may want to space it out a little bit.

Out of all 15 shows above, if I had to choose my absolute favourite one that I would want to go back and watch right now, it would be Sherlock. Each episode is long enough to be a movie so it tells a complete story with a lot of detail. It has true crime, wit, British humour, London streets and sights, impeccable writing, and brilliant acting. Ultimately, it has it all.

Let me know if I’ve inspired you to watch any of these shows. And if you have any suggestions for me, please comment below! I’d love to watch some new ones!

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Posted by:KnackeredbyChaos

I'm a bluntly honest person who loves to write about my life without a filter. I won't pretend that everything is perfect all the time nor will I shy away from telling you when things are perfect. Life has it's ups and downs and I'm here to try to make sense of mine. Publicly.